Objective: To investigate the expression level of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) WIF1-1 and its related prognostic value in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: The expressions of lncRNA WIF1-1 in 50 ESCC tissues and the corresponding normal tissues were detected via RT-qPCR method. The association between long non-coding RNA WIF1-1 expression and clinical characteristics was evaluated via Chi-square test. Results: The expression of WIF1-1 in ESCC tissues decreased significantly compared with that in the corresponding normal tissues, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.5). Furthermore, WIF1-1 was negatively related to the lymph nodes metastasis, TNM and clinical stage. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were significantly shorter in ESCC patients with lower expression level of lncRNA WIF1-1. Moreover, the down-regulated WIF1-1 expression was significantly correlated with the shorter survival of ESCC patients. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis revealed the WIF1-1 expression acted as an independent prognostic factor both in OS and PFS. Conclusion: The lncRNA WIF1-1 can be an important and potential suppressor of ESCC, and the expression of WIF1-1 may serve as another promising therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker in future clinic.